Hampered by negative ratings for his handling of taxes and state aid to local schools,
New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey approaches the six-month mark with a 43 – 30 percent
approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

The Governor also gets a negative 30 – 41 percent approval for his handling of state
aid to local schools. Even Democrats give him a negative 31 – 36 percent score on this topic.

"Anytime a public official's approval rating falls below 50 percent it's a sign of trouble.
Gov. McGreevey's approval rating has been stalled in the low to mid 40's all year," said Clay
F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "McGreevey
gets his lowest marks from voters for his handling of state aid to education and for taxes.

"And taxes is the biggest worry among New Jersey voters."

In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 21 percent list taxes
as the most important problem in New Jersey, followed by 12 percent who list auto
insurance, 10 percent who list education and 9 percent who list the economy.

Five percent of New Jersey voters are "very satisfied" with life in the Garden State,
while 48 percent are "somewhat satisfied;" 31 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" and 15
percent are "very dissatisfied."

McGreevey's ratings for handling of other issues are:

32 – 39 percent approval for handling the state budget;

42 – 29 percent approval for handling education;

38 – 39 percent approval for handling the economy and jobs.

From June 11 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 736 New Jersey registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and
nationally as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way James McGreevey is handling
his job as Governor?